WHERE TO STAY:

Founder Alessandro Cesario restructured an old Milanese building, just a few steps from the Naviglio canals, and turned it into a refined guest house that mirrors his hobby as a collector.

Each suite are luxurious parallel worlds of sport: hunting, horseback riding, boxing, golf, rugby and tennis. The lobby is reminiscent of a gentleman’s club in old colonial regions like Rhodesia. It is also a local social pulse, where tourists and city dwellers alike can bond over a cocktail or a game of backgammon.

Piazza XXIV Maggio, 8

WHERE TO EAT:

Ristorante Berton by chef Andrea Berton, is a testament to Milan’s modernist revamp. Located in the ultra-contemporary Porta Nuova district, the Michelin-starred restaurant’s cuisine is in-line with the architecturally-forward buildings in the area. Outfitted with expansive, warmly-tinted windows and oak tables and VIP aspects like a table for two in the kitchen,Ristorante Berton is a must-see stop.

Viale della Liberazione, 13

Chef Andrea Berton

WHERE TO DRINK:

The rooftop bar owned by designers/twin brothers Dan and Dean Caten of DSquared2 sits atop of 1930’s-era building, indicative of the powerful Fascist-Era design of Italy’s Mussolini days. With a Hollywood setting — its outdoor pools and 360-degree panorama view of Milan, it is definitely one of the best people-watching spots in the city. The bartender serves up impeccable cocktails as luxurious as the 1950’s-era furniture in the dining room.

Via Ceresio 7, 4th floor

WHERE TO SHOP:

The Bevilaqua sisters: Benedetta and Maria are united by their passion for researching the best brands in fashion. The small boutique, ruled by a 1979-sense of elegance sells the best of the runway: Stella Jean, Paul Harden, Jil Sander, COMME des GARCONS, Nina Ricci, Mina Perhonen, Anya Hindmarch, Rochas and Tsumori Chisato are just some of the labels that reflect their sophisticated and curated taste.

Barbè is a small perfumery with retro allure. The shop windows and the interiors speak to another era. Phaedon, Laboratorio Olfattivo, CBN cremes, Tokyo Milk products and Beauty for Real lip glosses, as well as bijoux jewelry from Dag e Tataborello, are just some of the beauty treasures they have in their store.

A meeting point of refined taste and elegance that transcends today’s fashion world, is a store filled with design treasures curated by the infallible taste of Rossana Orlandi.

A magic universe that is in constant evolution, her store, art gallery, caffe and restaurant are all facets of this labyrinth of high-brown taste. On show are some of the best emerging designers artistic minds. Don’t forget to check out the caffe’ and restaurant that is run by Marta Pulini, founder of catering company Bibendum and chef of Massimo Bottura’s gastro-bistrot.

Via Matteo Bandello, 14-16

WHERE TO GO:

The region of Lombardia, in honor of the Expo and the City of Milan, are allowing tourists to enter the doors of this new landmark designed by architects of the Pei Cobb Freed & Partners studio. Every Sunday, pilgrims can enjoy the view of the 39th floor of this structure that embraces all of Milan’s past and future.

With its tennis court and outdoor pool,VillaNecchi is a true anomaly in this urban jungle of apartment buildings and commercial businesses. The estate was built in 1932 in Art Deco style and was designed by Piero Portaluppi with accents of 30’s-era cruise ships. The villa was owned by the Necchi Campiglio sisters, whose family struck its fortune in the sewing machine business. Stepping into the doors of Villa Necchi, is like taking a trip back into the world of the city’s aristocracy.

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Sofia Celeste is a fashion journalist, who has covered the evolution of Italy’s small and medium sized companies since before the financial crisis.
While working as a staff reporter for Dow Jones Newswires and as a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal, she wrote extensively about the economic hurdles faced by the Italian fashion, retail and textile industry.
Over the past decade, Sofia’s articles on Italian politics, the Vatican and culture, have been published in the Boston Globe, the Christian Science Monitor and La Repubblica’s D Donna.
In addition to dedicating her time to BACO, Sofia freelances for Women’s Wear Daily and is currently the Milan Correspondent for Paris-based online magazine NOWFASHION.COM.